Doctor Who_ St. Anthony's Fire - Mark Gatiss [100]
* * *
The Betrushian sky was pitch black save for the brilliant sheets of lightning which crashed from horizon to horizon.
The colossal, amorphous creature now stood hundreds of feet high, absorbing every inch of the burning jungle which surrounded it.
It had begun to form a kind of structure, translucent bones tumbling together in a twisted rib‐cage, the line of an immense jaw visible in the sickly yellow blob of its head. Eyes rolled about, jerking out of half‐formed sockets as though unable to fix themselves down.
Spreading wide its web‐like arms it bellowed and began to filter the very elements from the burning air. In its search for perfection, it broke down everything to its constituent molecules; analysing and calculating, splitting genes and reforming them into complex new patterns.
With a tremendous surge of energy, the creature expanded again, taking on a vast rectangular shape like a bolt of sagging, rotten cloth. Light shimmered across its mucus‐drenched surface.
Huge legs thundered into the rolling soil as it metamorphosed yet again. All its restraints were weakening. It would soon be free to fulfil its purpose.
Vertebrae sprang out of the gelatinous pulp and it roared upwards into the clouds, trebling in size.
* * *
‘Where’s Yong?’ said Ace with sudden concern.
De Hooch looked acidly at her. ‘The former Magna has run away. True to form.’
Ace frowned. ‘And what have you done about it?’
De Hooch waved a hand airily. ‘Oh, he will shortly be recaptured. Then I shall revenge myself upon him.’
The Doctor straightened up at the navigational console, his strange grey eyes unblinking. ‘He’s a dangerous man. I suggest you put as many of your people on his trail as possible. He created the power source we’re using, remember? He could do a lot of damage if he gets to the right places.’
De Hooch digested this. ‘Jones, go after him.’
‘No!’ barked Ace. ‘I want to go.’
De Hooch glared at her. ‘You? I ought to have you shot here and now for the humiliation I have endured from you.’
The Doctor looked De Hooch hard in the eyes. ‘You have to admit she’s tenacious, though. And she wants revenge. If anyone can find Yong, it’s Ace.’
De Hooch looked across at her. ‘Very well. You will go with Jones. All non‐essential personnel will search for former Magna Yong. Go!’
The Doctor pressed Ace’s arm as she got up. ‘It’s very important that you find him.’
Ace, Jones and half a dozen Chaptermen hared from the bridge. The metal iris scraped shut behind them.
‘Now, Doctor,’ said De Hooch. ‘Return to your duties.’
The Doctor bent down. His mud‐caked clothes glowed blueishly. ‘Bernice? Start boosting the power.’
‘Got you. Beginning… now.’
‘Check.’
The Doctor glanced at the helmsman. ‘Betrushia?’
The Chapterman shrugged. ‘An hour. No more.’
The Doctor nodded. ‘All right. Where are the directional controls?’
The helmsman frowned. ‘What?’
‘The directional controls for this “fire” of yours.’
De Hooch swallowed nervously. ‘They’re in the cathedral, Doctor. It’s a security measure in case of hijack or accident.’
‘So Yong could be heading there too?’
De Hooch squirmed in his seat. ‘It’s possible.’
The Doctor rubbed his eyes warily. ‘Too many variables.’ He banged his fist on the console in frustration. ‘Far too many.’
‘Doctor?’ It was Bernice.
‘Yes?’
‘Power rising steadily. No problems.’
‘Good. I’ll let you know when we reach optimum mark.’
De Hooch smiled horribly. ‘Saint Anthony be with you, Doctor.’
* * *
Thoss awoke from unpleasant, fire‐filled dreams. The cold stone of the cathedral floor had chilled him to the bone and he was shivering as he clambered unsteadily to his feet.
This place was so strange. Who were the mammals he had released from the cage? The Keth? Or were the Keth imaginary? He could no longer remember. The Faith was all he had. And that was gone.
The great double doors burst open and smacked off the cathedral walls. Yong scrambled inside, holstering his blaster. Behind him, two